By Amos Ssemuwemba
In a significant effort to curb the resurgence of polio, the Ugandan government is preparing to immunize over 2.7 million children under the age of five in the eastern part of the country. This was announced by the Ministry of Health on Tuesday, as officials outlined a door-to-door vaccination campaign scheduled for October 3-6.
Michael Baganizi, the head of the Uganda National Expanded Programme on Immunization, explained that the campaign will target 49 districts in the eastern region, including Mbale, where a recent outbreak of polio was detected. “The aim is to halt the spread of the virus and protect vulnerable children from the debilitating effects of polio,” Baganizi stated.
This initiative comes in response to the recent detection of the poliovirus in Mbale, reigniting concerns about a disease that had long been under control. Uganda was declared polio-free by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2006, having reported no indigenous cases for a decade. However, the reemergence of the virus has prompted swift action.
Emmanuel Ainebyoona, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, urged parents and guardians to actively participate in the campaign by ensuring that their children, aged five and below, receive the vaccine.
“Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the spread of this highly contagious disease,” Ainebyoona said. “We need every parent and guardian to play their part in this nationwide effort.”
Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects young children, leading to irreversible paralysis in some cases. It spreads through contaminated water or food, as well as via aerosol droplets from coughs and sneezes, making it crucial to contain outbreaks quickly. While there is no cure for polio, the disease can be prevented through vaccination.
The upcoming immunization drive underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring that Uganda remains on track to maintain its polio-free status.